Operation Manual Thank you for purchasing the ZOOM MultiTrak Recording Studio MRS-4 (subsequently referred to as "the MRS-4"). The MRS-4 offers the following attractive features. ◆ Simultaneous 4-track playback/2-track recording 8 virtual takes per track add up to a total of 32 takes available for recording. ◆ Flexible track parameter settings Hi/Lo EQ, effect send, and other parameters can be set individually for each track.
• • • • Safety Precautions Extreme temperature High humidity or moisture Excessive dust or sand Excessive vibration or shock Handling In this manual, symbols are used to highlight warnings and cautions for you to read so that accidents can be prevented. The meanings of these symbols are as follows: Caution This symbol indicates explanations about extremely dangerous matters. If Warning users ignore this symbol and handle the device the wrong way, serious injury or death could result.
Introduction Track 1 2 3 4 This section shows the various sections of the unit and explains some important concepts of the MRS-4. The MRS-4 is divided internally into the following three sections. The illustration below shows the signal flow and how the sections fit together. ■ Recorder section The MRS-4 is a 4-track recorder that uses SmartMedia cards for storing data. This allows audio recording/playback on four tracks. Now let's take a closer look at each section.
Parts of the MRS-4 Top panel Rear panel [SONG/UTILITY/TUNER] key [AUTO PUNCH IN/OUT] key [ON/OFF] keys 1/2 [A-B REPEAT] key Parts of the MRS-4 Parts of the MRS-4 [INPUT LEVEL] controls 1/2 [DC 9V] jack [TRACK PARAMETER] key MARKER [U]/MARKER [I] keys [POWER] switch [MIDI OUT] connector [MARK/CLEAR] key Display MASTER [L]/[R] jacks [PHONES] jack AUX IN [L/MONO]/[R] jacks [INPUT 1]/[INPUT 2] jacks Front panel SmartMedia card slot [MIXDOWN] key Track status keys 1 – 4 ZERO [U] key [SEND/RET
Connections When a line level signal such as that from a CD player or rhythm machine is connected to the AUX IN [L/MONO]/[R] jacks, it will be output from the MASTER [L]/[R] jacks together with the mixed playback signal from the tracks of the MRS-4. For a stereo device, use both the [L/MONO] and [R] jacks. For a mono device, use only the [L/MONO] jack. CD player or other external source component To turn the MRS-4 on or off, proceed as follows.
Basic Operation This section describes basic operation steps of the MRS-4, starting with preparations for recording and continuing through the final mixdown process. Operation is divided into four major steps. ● Step 1: Preparations for recording Make the necessary connections and prepare to record a song. ● Step 2: Recording the first track Use the insert effect on the input signal if necessary and record the first track.
Step 2 2-2 Recording the first track This section describes how to record an electric guitar connected to the [INPUT 1] jack on track 1 to create the first track of a recording. 2-1 The insert effect processes the signal from input 1/2 before it is sent to the tracks for recording. In this example, you apply the insert effect on the guitar signal supplied to the INPUT 1 jack. If you do not wish to use the insert effect, proceed to section 2-3 on page 15. 1.
Insert effect algorithms (continued) Algorithm 4 Selecting and recording to a track ( MICEF 10 – MICEF 19 ) MICEF10 This is a mic input limiter. Unlike the LIMIT 0 - LIMIT 9 effect, the effect operates independently for input 1 and 2. Higher setting values produce stronger limiter action. MICEF19 Algorithm 5 2-3 Record the guitar sound with insert effect on track 1, as follows. 1. ( MICEF 20 – MICEF 29 ) MICEF20 Press the status key 1 repeatedly, until the key is lit in red.
Click Click Click Click Ding Tick Tick Tick Ding Tick Tick Tick Step 3 Overdubbing ∼ Precount 5. This section describes how to record another instrument on track 2 while listening to the guitar recorded in step 2 (track 1). Record When your guitar play is finished, press the STOP [P] key. The REC [O] key and PLAY [R] key go out, and the recorder section stops. The display briefly shows "WAIT", and then the main screen reappears.
N OTE H INT The length of the "WAIT" interval depends on setting conditions. 6. 7. 8. To listen to the recording, use the ZERO [U] key to return to the beginning of the song, and then press the PLAY [R] key. The recorded tracks 1 and 2 are played back. If necessary, adjust faders 1 and 2 for optimum balance. To listen to the final mix on the monitor system during mixdown, set the master recorder to monitor the input source. (For details, refer to the documentation of the master recorder.) 2.
Track parameters and settings (continued) LO EQ ON/OFF LOEQ LO EQ GAIN 4-3 Switches low EQ on or off LOG -12 – 12 Adjusts low EQ boost/cut from -12 (dB) to +12 (dB). This parameter is only shown when LO EQ is set to ON. LO EQ FREQUENCY LOF 63 – 2000（Hz） Selects the frequency for low EQ boost/cut. This parameter is only shown when LO EQ is set to ON. SEND ON/OFF SEND ON/OFF Determines whether the signal from the respective channel (track) is sent to the send/return effect.
Send/return effect algorithms and parameters Algorithm 1 HALL 0 HALL 9 0 ROOM 9 This is a stereo effect that adds hall type reverberation. Higher settings produce longer reverb time. TONE 0 DOBLE 0 RATE Adjusts the reverb tone. Higher settings produce stronger treble boost. (5 is the flat setting.) ( ROOM 0 – ROOM 9 ) Algorithm 7 This is a stereo chorus effect. The pitch of left and right components are shifted upside down, resulting in a unique, expansive sound.
4. To change the setting, use the up/down [PARAMETER/VALUE] keys. TIME 2 TIME 4 10. While playing the song, use the up/down [PARAMETER/VALUE] keys to adjust the send level for that track. 11. Perform the same steps for other tracks. 4-4 5. To return to the algorithm display, press the [EXIT/NO] key. 2 The mixdown effect serves to process the stereo signal produced by the track mixer. This effect can be used simultaneously with the send/return effect. The signal flow is shown below.
Mixdown effect algorithms Algorithm 1 POWER 0 POWER 9 Algorithm 2 BOOST 0 BOOST 9 VOCAL 0 VOCAL 9 2. Recording on the master recorder This effect adds fat bass and more power to the sound. Higher values produce more bass emphasis. ( BOOST 0 – BOOST 9 ) This effect produces a tight low end and crisp high end. Higher values produce more bass and treble boost. ( VOCAL 0 – VOCAL 9 ) When the mixdown effect setting is completed, you are ready to record the final mix on the master recorder. 1.
Reference [Recorder] Combining multiple tracks (Bounce function) This section describes various advanced functions and operations of the recorder section of the MRS-4. Using V-takes 4. T1-2 5. 6. Repeat steps 2 – 4 as required to switch V-takes for other tracks. Press the [EXIT/NO] key to return to the main screen. 1. While the main screen is shown, press the [TRACK PARAMETER] key. The track parameter menu appears. 2.
Carrying out the bounce function 5. Adjust the level balance, pan, and EQ of tracks 1 – 4. 6. Press the [BOUNCE] key. The [BOUNCE] key lights up and the bounce function is activated. H INT If desired, you can also use the send/return effect and mixdown effect during bounce. (For details, see page 21, 25.) On the main screen, press the status keys 1/2 for the bounce target tracks 1/2, so that the keys are lit in red. Make sure that [ON/OFF] keys 1/2 and the [METRONOME] key are out. 8.
5. Move to the point at which you want to punch-out, and press the [AUTO PUNCH IN/OUT] button once more. This sets the "Out point" at which recording will end. The [AUTO PUNCH IN/OUT] button changes from flashing to constantly lit. ● If REC [O] key + PLAY [R] key were pushed (actual operation) In point Track H INT The In/Out points can also be set while the recorder is operating. 6. Move to a point several measures earlier than the In point.
metronome beat as reference. (For information on how to change the metronome beat and tempo, see page 50.) • This indication is for information only. The measure indication cannot be used to move to a point in the song. 2. To return to time indication, press the left [PARAMETER/VALUE] key once. The mark number is assigned automatically in ascending order from 01 to 50. (The beginning of the song always corresponds to the mark number 00.
Playing back the same passage repeatedly (AB Repeat) A-B Repeat is a function that repeatedly plays back a desired region of the song. This is useful when you want to listen to the same region repeatedly. 1. Move to the point at which you want to begin repeat playback, and press the [A-B REPEAT] key. The [A-B REPEAT] key flashes, and the repeat start location (point A) is specified. 2.
● Adding the input signal to the mixdown When no recording track is selected INPUT 1 or INPUT 2 MASTER fader When performing mixdown, the input mixer can be used to add the signal from inputs 1/2. OUTPUT 1. R Connect the master recorder to the MASTER [L]/[R] jacks and make the necessary preparations for mixdown (➜ p. 18). INPUT 1 2. MASTER fader OUTPUT Connect the instrument or microphone to add to the mix to the [INPUT 1]/[INPUT 2] jacks. Set the [ON/OFF] keys 1/2 to ON. 4.
Reference [Track Editing] The audio data recorded on the tracks of the recorder can be edited in a variety of ways, including erasing portions or copying. This section explains the track editing functions. 8. up/down [PARAMETER/VALUE] keys to change the number. 9. Copying a specified region of data to another location A specified region of recorded data can be copied to any location in any track. The data that was previously at the copy destination will be erased and overwritten by the copy source data.
COPY Copy source track number Copy source V-take number By pressing the [EXIT/NO] key instead of the [ENTER/YES] key, you can return to the display of the preceding step and make changes. By pressing the [EXIT/NO] key instead of the [ENTER/YES] key, you can return to the display of the preceding step and make changes. 5. CP T1-1 Erasing a specified segment 5. If necessary, specify the track number and V-take number, and press the [ENTER/YES] key.
Exchanging the data of entire tracks 5. If necessary, specify the track number and V-take number, and press the [ENTER/YES] key. Use the left/right [PARAMETER/VALUE] keys to move the flashing section, and use the up/down [PARAMETER/VALUE] keys to change the number. You can also specify a Vtake that is currently not selected for the track. When you press the [ENTER/YES] key, the display changes as follows. You can exchange the recorded data of two specified tracks. 6.
Reference [Song Functions] This section describes how to create a new song, how to read in an existing song, and how to perform other song related operations. Song menu basic functions 4. Press the [ENTER/YES] key. The screen for the item selected in step 3 appears. The subsequent steps differ for each item. For details, see the following section. Song number SONG01 The song menu that appears when you press the [SONG/UTILITY/TUNER] key lets you perform various song related functions.
Copying a song (SONG COPY) To copy the entire contents of the currently selected song into an empty song number, proceed as follows. Deleting a song (SONG DELETE) To delete the entire contents of a song on the SmartMedia card, proceed as follows. 1. 1. Select "SnGCopy" on the song menu, and press the [ENTER/YES] key. Select "SnG dEL" on the song menu, and press the [ENTER/YES] key. The number of the signal that will be deleted appears on the display. 2.
Reference [Metronome/MIDI] This section describes how to make metronome settings and how to synchronize operation of the MRS-4 with other MIDI devices. Basic metronome settings LVL When the metronome is on and playback is started from a point midway in a song, no precount clicks are heard. Depending on the start position, the metronome sound may start partly through a beat. 10 Functions available with MIDI 4. You can set the metronome tempo, time signature, volume, and precount. 1.
Reference [Other Functions] 7. When tuning is complete, press the [EXIT/NO] key several times to return to the main screen. 4. Press the [ENTER/YES] key two times. The display changes as follows. This section describes other convenient functions of the MRS-4. Using the tuner The MRS-4 has a built-in chromatic tuner that can be used when tuning an instrument connected to the [INPUT 1]/[INPUT 2] jacks. To use the tuner, proceed as follows. 1. 4. Play a single note on the instrument.
Display adjustments H INT When operating the MRS-4 on battery power, switching the backlight off will result in longer battery life. You can adjust the display contrast and control the backlight as follows. 1. While the main screen is shown, press the [SONG/UTILITY/TUNER] key, and then use the left/right [PARAMETER/VALUE] keys to bring the indication "Lcd" onto the display. 4. When the setting is complete, press the [EXIT/NO] key several times to return to the main screen. 2.
Specifications MRS-4 file configuration Audio file Recorder Physical tracks: 4 Virtual takes: 32 (8 V-takes per track) Maximum number of simultaneous recording tracks: 2 Maximum number of simultaneous playback tracks: 4 Recording media: SmartMedia card 16 – 128 MB (3.3V) Recording grade: 32 kHz (HiFi) / 16 kHz (Long) Maximum recording time (converted to single monaural track): 16 MB = 8 min. or more (HiFi), 16 min. or more (Long) 32 MB = 16 min. or more (HiFi), 33 min. or more (Long) 64 MB = 33 min.
Troubleshooting If the MRS-4 does not seem to function normally, check the following points first. Playback problems No sound, or very low volume • Check the connections to your monitor system, and the volume of your monitor system. • Make sure that the status keys 1 – 4 are lit in green. If a key is not lit, press the key to make it light in green. • Make sure that the track faders 1 – 4 and the MASTER fader are raised. • Make sure that a SmartMedia card is inserted in the card slot.
• SNG FUL • CDPRTCT The SmartMedia card already contains 15 songs. Therefore a new song cannot be created. Erase unneeded songs. • NOCARD MIDI implementation chart A write protect seal is attached to the SmartMedia card. Remove the seal and try again. [Smartmedia Digital Recorder ] Model MRS-4 MIDI Implementation Chart • RECFULL • NOCARD1 No SmartMedia card is inserted, otherwise the card you inserted is not supported. Transmitted There is no more free capacity, and recording cannot proceed.
Index Insert effect • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 5, 13 Algorithm • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 13 ◆ DISPLAY BOOST PROTECT ROOM SEND SHORT SLVL SNG DEL SNG NEW PROTECT • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 49 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BOUNCE 26 •••••••••••••••••••••••• 29 CAB BC •••••••••••••••••••••••••• 13 CAB CO •••••••••••••••••••••••••• 13 CAB ST •••••••••••••••••••
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